Patent GB-1482762-A (GB)
Title: Simplified fluid circuit for shifting a transmission
IPC: F16D48/02
Filed: 1974-12-02
Abstract: 1482762 Change-speed control CATERPILLAR TRACTOR CO 2 Dec 1974 [3 Dec 1973] 52103/74 Heading F2D For effecting ratio shifts in a transmission having first and second groups of devices, e.g. clutches or brakes, of which at least one device of the first group is pressurized to establish a selected ratio and at least one device of the second group is pressurized to establish forward or reverse drive, a control circuit comprises a speed or ratio selector valve 21 controlling the first group 13-1, 13-2, 13-3, 13-4, a direction control valve 19 controlling the second group 13-R, 13-F, a modulating relief valve 54 controlling the pressure supplied to the devices 13-1 &c., and a safety differential valve 53 controlling the supply of pressure fluid to the second group through the valve 19 and the application of pressure to a modulating piston 67 of the valve 54 to control the rate of application of pressure to the devices 13-1 &c. Provision is made whereby the valve 53 controls the devices 13-F, 13-R to neutralize the transmission on application of service brakes and to prevent establishment of either forward or reverse drive should an engine-driven pump 14 energizing the system be started up with a selector lever 22 in a position other than neutral. At start-up, with the lever 22 in neutral as shown, the pump, which also supplies the brake system and steering clutches 18, fills the device 13-4 through a restriction 33 and annular passages 32, 48 in the valve 19, and when the device 13-4 is filled the pressure in a conduit 20 rises and, passing through a restricted passage 92 and a check valve 94 in the spool 78 of the valve 53, is effective in a chamber 91 to displace the spool to the right. As the spool moves, an unrestricted passage 96 is opened so that the rightward movement of the spool is accelerated, and finally the chamber 91 is connected to the conduit 20 through a passage 97, and an annular recess 86 communicating with a conduit 52 for supplying the devices 13-F, 13-R is connected with the conduit 20 through passages 113, 96. The increase of pressure in 20 also urges a spool 58 of the valve 54 to the right, due to a connection 73 with a chamber 70 containing a plunger 74, so that the pressure in 20 is controlled by the opening of an outlet 62, which feeds a torque converter 63. The pressure in 20 is gradually increased by the action of a piston 67 which forms an abutment for a spring 66 and is connected through a restriction 83 and conduit 71 with the conduit 20, an exhaust 88 having been closed by the rightward movement of the spool 78. If now the lever 22 is moved to select, e.g. first ratio in the forward direction a land 36 on a spool 26 of the valve 19 allows communication between grooves 32, 34 so that fluid flows to the valve 21 and thence to the device 13-1, and a land 47a on the spool 26 allows the device 13-4 to exhaust through a conduit 44 and grooves 42a, 42b in the valve 21. The consequent drop in pressure in the conduit 20 causes the spool 78 to move to the left sufficiently to release the pressure in the conduit 52 whilst the device 13-1 is filled. When the spool 78 moves again to the right as the pressure in 20 rises due to filling of the device 13-1 the device 13-F is filled through passages 113, 96, 86, 52, and the passage 71 is vented through 88 so that the piston 67 is reset. When 13-F is filled the increase of pressure in 52, 86 causes slight leftward movement of the spool 78 so that the piston 67 again becomes pressurized through the restriction 83 to cause a gradual increase in the pressure determined by the spool 58 up to normal working pressure. At the same time the spool 78 causes the pressure delivered to the conduit 52 to be increased gradually to a somewhat lower working pressure. Any subsequent shifting of the valves 19 and/or 21 to select other ratios involves similar actions of the valve 53 and resetting of the valve 54. Should the brakes be applied whilst the spool 78 is in its normal working position, i.e. to the right of the position shown, a valve 101 vents the chamber 91 to cause the spool 78 to move leftwardly to cut-off the pressure fluid supply to the conduit 52 and vent that conduit so that the drive through the forward or reverse device 13-F or 13-R is disconnected. On release of the brakes the chamber 91 is again pressurized so that the spool 78 moves to the right causing resetting of the piston 67 and gradual repressurizing of the device 13-F or 13-R. If the pump 14 is started up with the valve 19 positioned for forward or reverse drive, pressure is unable to build up in the chamber 91 because a groove 89 of the valve 53 is connected to drain through a groove 49b or 49c of the valve 19. Thus, although the selected one of the devices 13-1 ... 13-4 may fill, no filling of the device 13-F or 13-R can take place, and it is necessary for the selector lever 22 to be moved to the neutral position before drive can be initiated.